Marked by His Shadows

One –

rain outside a nightclub she couldn't afford to enter, holdi

e, it wo

she'd miss

roommate had turned

t possibly get worse. And right now, she wasn't sure if she wanted

k. The city glowed around her-so alive, so far removed from her existence. Neon signs flickered

felt warm

it ha

e fire, like ice, like claws beneath her skin.

earing. Not ou

ne of her dress down

ma

ke a brand. Black as ink, but pulsing faint

the he

dn't f

on of the café window,

. Dressed in black, wit

pun a

th

the patter of rain on pavement and

on her chest

-

t sleep t

three frantic showers, two scrubs with a loofah that left her raw, a

ts were n

at a bookstore that smelled like dust and regre

omething

ne was wa

. Every corner. Every flick

-

later, it

acked sidewalk, keys gripped between her knuckles the way h

ilent. U

dow sli

," a vo

She stopped, con

cost more than her monthly rent, and his eyes wer

afe out here,

disbelieving. "Did you

oor behind

didn't say a word. Just st

rimal in he

rned a

-

dn't g

y. But firmly. Like they knew e

lanced, frowned, turned away. Because to them, it didn't

into the car.

n she s

s from her in

m the café

stillness so complete it made her breath ca

ice low and smooth, like glass

"Who the h

dn't

an Th

hit her l

ire recluse. Whispers of criminal empires, political puppets, and power that didn't ma

d very r

from me?" she sa

man studies a woman. Like a predator studies

"Something that's waking. And whether you like it or

ked. "Are

dred years," he continued, ignoring her sarcasm. "

ied th

as l

him, heart pounding

mark appeared, your death became a guarantee

f silence

e. "Then what do

rd, eyes sharp

alive, Miss Monroe.

pau

so d

-